BRUINS NOTEBOOK: Campbell appreciates award nomination

Gregory Campbell doesn't think he deserves to win the NHL's Masterton Trophy, but he feels honored to be considered for an award that recognizes perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

Mike Loftus The Patriot Ledger

He doesn’t think he’s a contender, and would have preferred to avoid the manner in which he became a candidate, but because he’s a believer in the concept behind the NHL’s Masterton Trophy, Bruins center Gregory Campbell is proud to be nominated for it.

“I’m very grateful for the nomination, but there’s a whole long list of people who have shown a lot of courage over the years,” said Campbell, nominated by the Boston chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association for an award that recognizes perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. “I’ll take it, and move on.”

Campbell, in his fourth year centering the Bruins’ famed “Merlot Line,” gained widespread attention last spring by completing a penalty-killing shift in the Eastern Conference Final against Pittsburgh on a leg that had been broken by Evgeni Malkin’s slap shot. The injury ended Campbell’s playoffs and remained an issue through training camp, but he has played all 78 games for the Bruins this season.

“I’m very thankful for the recognition of what it takes to come back from an injury. It’s not an easy thing,” he said.

“Having said that … there’s been a lot of inspiring and courageous people that have been nominated and won this award. I feel like there’s been far greater challenges that these guys have overcome, so a broken leg, to me, isn’t much.”

Two past recipients – Steve Yzerman (Red Wings, 2003) and Adam Graves (Rangers, 2001) – happen to be players Campbell idolized, and got to know while growing up. Campbell’s father, Colin, played with and coached Yzerman in Detroit, and also coached Graves in New York.

“Obviously, they were great players and had tremendous success in the league,” Campbell said, “but it was more about their character and the way they handled themselves off the ice and on the ice – the inspiration they were to not only their teammates, but also to young kids, and the time they gave back to other people.

“In their careers, they were obviously very gifted athletes, but I think that they really exemplified how the game should be played, and what it takes to win.”

Seventh for Smith: In a stronger field of candidates than usual, considering the strides made by the likes of goalie Chad Johnson and center Carl Soderberg, first-year Bruins winger Reilly Smith was the recipient of the annual Seventh Player Award, selected by fan ballot and presented to the player who most exceeded expectations.

“You know some of the (players) that have won that award, and it says a lot just to be a part of that group,” said Smith, who turned 23 on April 1 and has scored 19 goals and 49 points (plus-25) in his first full NHL season. “I think I’ve worked pretty hard this year, and it’s nice to see it pay off a little bit.”

Obtained in the July 4 trade that sent popular Tyler Seguin to Dallas, Smith has been thankful for the support of Bruins fans.

“Yeah, it’s remarkable,” he said. “It’s something you wouldn’t expect, joining a team. … It’s a treat every day, being able to come to the rink and play in front of fans that are really knowledgeable and who understand the game.”

Around the boards: Carl Soderberg returned to the lineup after missing Thursday’s game at Toronto to be with his wife for the birth of their baby girl, Sophia. … Johnny Boychuk’s game-winner was his second goal in the past three games. He scored three goals over his first 68 games, … In addition to the assist that extended his points streak to a career-high 11 games (9-6–15), Patrice Bergeron won 14 of 18 faceoffs – 78 percent. … The Bruins’ are off today, practice at TD Garden on Monday, then make a two-game trip to Minnesota (Tuesday) and Winnipeg (Thursday).